FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Students researching methods to reduce childhood obesity among the Hispanic population in Northwest Arkansas have received a grant from the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences Undergraduate Creative Projects/Research Grants Program, one of five research projects funded by the program.

Another project receiving funding is an apparel merchandising study of the effect of environmentally friendly packaging on consumer attitudes toward retail brands.

The students, in the Bumpers College and the Honors College, selected to receive grants are Paige Boyle of Bentonville; Tessa Constant of Stilwell, Kansas; Lydia Mitchener of Kirkwood, Missouri; Madalyn Smith from Girard, Kansas; Maria Isabel Barrenechea of Santa Cruz, Bolivia; and Mallori Sando of Highland Village, Texas; and Katherine Ross of Benton. They have been awarded grants between $750 and $1,700 for five projects.

Barrenechea, Ross and Sando, in the dietetics concentration of the human nutrition and hospitality innovation major, are researching “Development of a Nutrition Education Tool to Reduce Risk of Childhood Obesity in a Northwest Arkansas Hispanic Population.” Clinical assistant professor Cindy Moore is directing the project which received a grant of $750.

Smith, an apparel merchandising and product development major, is researching “Impact of Environmentally Friendly Packaging on Consumers’ Attitudes and Patronage Intentions Toward Retail Apparel Brands.” Her advisor is assistant professor Eunjoo Cho, and she received a grant of $1,000.

Boyle, who is majoring in environmental, soil and water science, is studying “The Effect of Aeration of In-Vessel Compost Processing and Quality.” She is working with professor Mary Savin and instructor Lisa Wood, and her project earned a grant of $1,688.

Constant, a human nutrition and hospitality innovation major, is researching “Competency Levels of Future Event Professionals as Compared to Meeting and Business Events Competency Standards.” Associate professor Godwin-Charles Ogbeide is directing the project, which received a grant for $1,000.

Mitchener, majoring in animal science, is working with professor Charles Rosenkrans, focusing on “Use of Lipopolysaccharide Exposure to Dog Blood Cells to Indicate Bacterial Response.” Her grant is for $1,000.

Horticulture professor Curt Rom, who is interim dean of the Honors College, is director of the Bumpers College honors program.